Shravasti (U.P.): In a move that has sparked concern among the Muslim community, the Uttar Pradesh government has shut down 10 madrasas in Shravasti district, near the Nepal border, branding them as “illegal.” The administration claims these institutions failed to furnish necessary documentation during inspections conducted by local officials, reported the Hindustan times.
Out of the 297 madrasas operating in the district, authorities have declared 192 as “illegal,” triggering anxiety and uncertainty among the remaining institutions. These madrasas serve as both educational centres and homes for hundreds of students and provide livelihoods for many teachers.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of District Magistrate Ajay Kumar, with raids conducted by the SDM across 12 madrasas situated along the border areas. Following the inspections, the 10 identified madrasas were ordered to cease operations.
Among the affected institutions is Jamia Abu Bakr Anwar Ul Quran, which had nearly 200 enrolled students. With the closure, the children have been redirected to nearby government schools. Similar actions were taken against madrasas in Majra Rampura (Gram Panchayat Srinagar) and Verandah areas.
This is not the first instance of such actions by the Uttar Pradesh government. Previous operations have seen the demolition of several madrasas and masjids, citing reasons such as encroachments or infrastructure projects like road widening. These crackdowns have repeatedly drawn criticism from various quarters, accusing the government of targeting minority institutions.
The move comes amid ongoing debates over the recently proposed Waqf Bill and its implications for Muslim communities. According to the District Magistrate’s office, further actions are expected against institutions found in violation of the new directives.
